5 Classic Italian Dinner Recipes

Italian cuisine is beloved around the world for its simple yet flavorful dishes that celebrate fresh ingredients. From hearty pasta to delicious risotto, Italian food brings Italian Dinner Recipes people together over comforting meals.
The good news is that many classic Italian recipes are easy to make at home. With just a few quality ingredients and some simple techniques, anyone can create an impressive Italian feast without spending all evening in the kitchen.
Read on for recipes that will transport your taste buds to Italy without you having to leave your home kitchen.

Chicken Parmesan

This Italian-American classic features chicken cutlets breaded, fried, and topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. Served atop pasta, it makes for a satisfying, protein-packed meal. To make it extra special, use fresh mozzarella between the cutlets and sauce. The richness of the cheese against the crispy chicken is hard to beat.
For chicken parmesan, start by coating chicken breast cutlets in flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs. Pan-fry until golden brown and crispy. Make a simple tomato sauce by simmering canned diced tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, and seasonings. Layer the fried cutlets with the tomato sauce and slices of fresh mozzarella in a baking dish. Bake until hot and bubbly, then serve over pasta.
Toasting the breadcrumbs adds crunch while using fresh mozzarella instead of shredded makes for an extra creamy, decadent dish. Pair it with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a well-rounded Italian-style meal.

Short Rib Ragu

A true Italian comfort dish, short rib ragu exudes flavors of slow-cooked beef, aromatic herbs, and red wine. The blend of this sauce with the pasta captures the essence of an Italian countryside in every bite. The slow simmer transforms the short ribs into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy.
Begin your Italian short rib ragu recipe by slow-cooking beef short ribs with finely diced vegetables, herbs, shallots, and a rich pour of red wine. Let the magic happen as you allow the pot to simmer, gradually coaxing out the deep flavors from the ribs. Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven for even heat distribution.
Once the meat falls apart effortlessly, shred it into the pot, allowing it to incorporate fully into the sauce. For a perfectly paired pasta, opt for pappardelle – its wide, ribbon-like strands allow the ragu to cling with every twist and turn.
The key to this dish’s brilliance lies in the patience of the simmer and the richness of the ingredients. When ready to serve, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a dash of chopped parsley for a final touch. Pair this ragu with a side of roasted vegetables or a crisp salad for a well-rounded, heartwarming meal.

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

This Roman pasta dish is decadently rich yet surprisingly simple to prepare. It starts with a sauce of eggs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and cured pork jowl or bacon. Once combined, the sauce coats the hot pasta, creating a creamy, salty coating on each strand.
To make spaghetti alla carbonara, start by cooking the pasta according to package directions. In the meantime, cook the bacon or pork jowl until crispy. Remove from heat and reserve the rendered fat. Beat a few eggs with grated Pecorino cheese, black pepper, and a splash of pasta water. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and immediately toss it in the pan with the bacon fat to Italian Dinner Recipes prevent sticking. Take it off the heat and add the egg and cheese mixture, stirring quickly to coat the pasta strands. The heat from the pasta cooks the eggs just enough to create a silky sauce. Serve immediately with extra Pecorino cheese.
With just a few ingredients, you can have restaurant-quality pasta ready in minutes. The key is high-quality ingredients, like artisanal bacon and real Pecorino Romano. This is an easy weeknight dinner that feels rich and indulgent.

Lasagna Bolognese

A baked pasta casserole, lasagna is a delicious crowd-pleaser. Traditional lasagna Bolognese features a meaty ragu made with ground beef and pork, combined with layers of lasagna noodles, tomato sauce, and béchamel sauce or ricotta cheese. As it bakes, the flavors meld together into the ultimate comforting dish. Though assembly takes some time, the wait is well worth it.
Authentic lasagna Bolognese starts with the ragu, made from ground beef and pork simmered with tomatoes, onion, carrot, celery, red wine, and milk or cream. Cook the ragu for 2-3 hours until the meat is super tender and the sauce is thick.
Make the béchamel by cooking butter, flour, and milk into a creamy sauce and cook lasagna noodles al dente. Layer noodles, ragu, béchamel, and shredded mozzarella in a baking dish until it’s full. Top with more cheese and bake until bubbling and golden on top.
The lengthy prep time pays off in deep, complex flavors, but the hands-off baking time makes it an easy dinner party dish. Serve with a leafy green salad and crusty garlic bread for a true Italian feast.

Shrimp Scampi

Scampi refers to shrimp cooked in wine, butter, and herbs until plump and juicy. Served over linguine or spaghetti, shrimp scampi is a simple seafood dish that feels decadent. Sauté Italian Dinner Recipes the shrimp in garlic butter, and then add in some white wine and lemon juice to create an easy yet restaurant-worthy pasta.
The key to great shrimp scampi is quality ingredients. Use fresh, sustainably-caught shrimp, real butter, and bright lemons. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook the shrimp just until pink, 1-2 minutes per side. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, then pour in white wine and lemon juice and let it simmer until slightly reduced. Toss with cooked linguine or spaghetti, mixing the sauce into the pasta.
Shrimp scampi comes together in minutes for a fast weeknight dinner. But the combination of garlic, lemon, wine, and butter makes it taste like an elegant restaurant meal. When it comes to serving, you can choose a crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Conclusion

Classic Italian cuisine focuses on simple techniques and bold flavors. This is what Italian Dinner Recipes makes the dishes satisfying yet achievable for home cooks. So, the next time you’re looking for a comforting and crowd-pleasing dinner, turn to the recipes in this article. With just a loaf of crusty bread and a bottle of Italian wine, you’ll feel like you’re dining at your favorite trattoria without leaving home.